Cast Iron Skillet Brownie Recipe

This one pan Skillet Brownie baked in a cast iron pan is everything I want in a homemade brownie.

This easy brownie recipe is rich, fudgy, chocolatey, and has those crisp edges everyone fights over. Making a brownie in a cast iron skillet is an easy dessert when you want something warm and chocolate.

Why You’ll Love This Skillet Brownie

• One skillet dessert– mixed and cooked in one pan makes this super easy to make and easy to clean up.
• Fudgy chocolately– rich brownie texture and flavor in every bite.
• Chewy edges– cast iron helps this bake up perfectly with those crisp, brownie edges everyone loves.
• Great for sharing– pass out spoons and ice cream for a delicious dessert.

Ingredients for Cast Iron Skillet Brownies

Skillet brownies are made with basic pantry ingredients that you probably already have on hand, so no need to rush out to the store. This is all you will need:

• Unsalted butter– the butter is melted right in the pan
• Neutral oil– such as canola or avocado oil
• Semi-sweet chocolate chips– melted right in the butter in the skillet.
• Cocoa powder– Dutch process cocoa works perfectly in this recipe. Sdded right to the melted chocolate for rich flavor.
• Eggs– mixed with the sugars to add structure to the brownies
• Brown sugar and sugar– whisked with the eggs for sweetness
• Vanilla– adds delicious flavor
• All purpose flour– just a little to thicken up the brownies
• Salt– balances out the flavor in the brownies

How to Make a Skillet Brownie

1. Melt the butter– place a 10 inch cast iron skillet over medium low heat. Add the butter to the skillet and stir continually until it is melted. Remove the pan from the heat and add in the chocolate chips, stir until they are melted, then stir in the cocoa powder.
2. Whisk the eggs– in a separate mixing bowl whisk together the eggs, sugar, and brown sugar until it is fluffy and the sugars are dissolved. Add in the vanilla.

3. Make the brownie batter– stir the egg mixture into the chocolate mixture in the skillet (make sure it has cooled so the eggs don’t cook). Add in the flour and salt and stir until just combined. Don’t over mix the batter or the brownies will become cakey.
4. Bake– add additional chocolate chips to the top of the brownie before baking in a 350º F for 20-25 minutes. Until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with just a few crumbs on it.
5. Serve– allow the skillet to cool for 5-10 minutes before serve. Serve with a scoop of your favorite ice cream or whipped cream.

How Do You Know When A Skillet Brownie is Done?

There are a few things to looks for when baking a skillet brownie.

• the edges will look crisp and set
• the center should still be soft and shiny, while the chocolate on top is melted
• a toothpick inserted in the center should come out with a few moist crumbs, not completely clean
• the brownie will continue to cook as it is in the skillet, so taking it from the oven sooner is best

Tips for the Best Cast Iron Skillet Brownies

This recipe has just a few steps and is fairly foolproof, but I still have a few simple steps for you.

• Don’t over bake– for a fudgy brownie bake until the edges are crisp and the center is still fudgy.
• Use room temperature eggs– this will help the sugars dissolve and the batter to mix evenly.
• Don’t over mix the flour-mix until just combined
• Let the brownie rest– the center will continue to set as the brownie rests
• Add optional mix-ins– add in additional chocolate chips, nuts, caramel bits, or even peanut butter.

How to Store Leftover Skillet Brownies

To store any leftover brownies, remove the brownies to an airtight container and store on the counter for up to 3 days.

These can also be frozen, cool completely and remove from the skillet. Store in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Frequently Asked Questions

What size cast iron should I use for skillet brownies?

This recipe is written for a 10 inch cast iron skillet. If you don’t own a 10 inch skillet, these can be baked in a 12 inch skillet, but will take less time, check for doneness with a toothpick.

Why is my skillet brownie dry?

Over baking, over mixing can both cause the skillet brownie to bake up dry.

Other Cast Iron Recipes To Try:

We love making simple cast iron desserts like skillet cookies, or even apple pie. Check out my full list of skillet desserts here, or slide through the following for more ideas.